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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 346 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 346

 Commending the Appalachian State University football team for winning 
    the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA 
                         Football Championship.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 21, 2005

Mr. Burr (for himself and Mrs. Dole) submitted the following resolution

            December 22 (legislative day, December 21), 2005

                        Considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Commending the Appalachian State University football team for winning 
    the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA 
                         Football Championship.

Whereas on December 16, 2005, the Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated the 
        Northern Iowa Panthers in the Championship game of the National 
        Collegiate Athletic Association (``NCAA'') Division I-AA Football 
        Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee;
Whereas the Mountaineers are the first team from Appalachian State to win a NCAA 
        Championship in school history;
Whereas Appalachian State is the first university in the State of North Carolina 
        to win a NCAA football championship;
Whereas head coach Jerry Moore, the all-time winningest coach in Southern 
        Conference history, won his first NCAA title in his seventeenth year as 
        head coach of the Mountaineers, improving to 140-67 his record as head 
        coach at Appalachian State;
Whereas defensive ends Marques Murrell and Jason Hunter, as well as safety Corey 
        Lynch, were named to the I-AA All America team;
Whereas junior defensive end Marques Murrell, who finished the game with 9 
        tackles and forced a fumble with 9 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the 
        game, and senior Jason Hunter, who finished the game with ten tackles, 
        returned it for the winning touchdown;
Whereas injured senior quarterback and Southern Conference Offensive Player of 
        the Year Richie Williams courageously led the Mountaineers in the second 
        half while playing with an injured ankle tendon;
Whereas the Mountaineer defense held the Panthers scoreless in the second half;
Whereas backup quarterback Trey Elder led Appalachian State to a 29-23 victory 
        over Furman University to earn a spot in the final contest;
Whereas the Mountaineers defeated Lehigh University and Southern Illinois to 
        advance to the I-AA ``Final Four'';
Whereas the Mountaineer team members are excellent representatives of a fine 
        university that is a leader in higher education, producing many fine 
        student-athletes and other leaders;
Whereas each player, coach, trainer, manager, and staff member dedicated this 
        season and their efforts to ensure the Appalachian State University 
        Mountaineers reached the summit of college football;
Whereas the Mountaineers showed tremendous dedication to each other, 
        appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship to their opponents, and 
        respect for the game of football throughout the 2005 season; and
Whereas residents of the Old North State and Appalachian fans worldwide are to 
        be commended for their long-standing support, perseverance, and pride in 
        the team: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commends the champion Appalachian State University 
        Mountaineers for their historic win in the 2005 National 
        Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA Football 
        Championship;
            (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, 
        students, alumni, and support staff who were instrumental in 
        helping Appalachian State University win the championship; and
            (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy 
        of this resolution to Appalachian State University Chancellor 
        Kenneth Peacock and head coach Jerry Moore for appropriate 
        display.
                                 <all>
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